B.

STUDENT DIVERSITY
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

LEARNING CONTENTS

A. Different Factors that Bring about Student Diversity

In school, it’s students’ nature to interact with their fellow classmates who are
different from them in some aspects like in terms of their interest, personality,
gender, language or dialect spoken, race or even cultural background. And this
differences in class might comes from these following factors:

1) Socioeconomic status. Commonly refers to the family’s economic standing

(higher, middle to lower class), cultural background and etc. How students’
lifestyles are different from each other.

For example, It’s very evident in any school that students are not all the same
when it comes to their families income, some are blessed enough to have all the
‘needs’ in studying while some don’t have that much resources yet still continue
to survive just for the better future.
2) Thinking/learning style. Every students have their own ways or styles of
learning in where they’re most comfortable at.

For example, as a student I prefer reading books or any reading materials and at
the same time writing/taking down necessary notes, that’s my forte. While maybe
some other students must prefer watching, listening to music or eating when
studying. Any of which the important here is you’re comfortable and enjoying the
process of learning.
 3) Exceptionalities. Refers to the students who have a special needs or
abilities and disabilities. There are rare students who are born gifted, far
from the average learners

And slow learners. While some does have a sensory impairments or disability.

For example, there are students who have difficulties in reading, listening or
speaking.

B. Benefits of Diversity in the Classroom

Handling a diverse class is not easy as it seems, teachers are challenge to address
each of their students differences (behaviors, attitudes, and other backgrounds)
and needs. But instead of seeing this as a problem why don’t a teacher view this
as a blessing, a perfect place where everyone could learn, even a teacher. Here
are the following benefits that student diversity can bring:

1) Students’ self-awareness is enhanced by diversity. Since students are

exposed to different individuals who had different experiences, beliefs,
backgrounds and etc. in life which they can actually use as a reference to
evaluate and improve themselves. Like for example, Juana who had a
complete resources in studying compares her academic performance to
Anna, her friend who didn’t have a complete school materials (positively).
Then Juana realized that if Anna can excel in class despite of her situation
so she also can, she just need to exert more effort, study hard and be
optimistic as Anna can be.
2) Student diversity contributes to cognitive development. A diverse class
environment engage student with different individuals who have different
experiences, knowledge and perspectives in life. My point here is, it helps
students to enhance their learning through socialization or interacting with
others. They can adapt new approach learning, learn and gain new sets of
idea or information within their classmates. Even without the normal
presence of a teacher, who usually promote cognitive development in the
class. This proves that it’s not only the educators who contribute on the
child’s learning, it can also be those individuals who surrounds them.

3) Student diversity prepares learners for their role as responsible members of

society. It always start at school since it serves as a training ground for
students in order to become a better version of their selves. Yes, students
have differences but it never change the fact that each one of them have a
vital role inside the class. For example, Jose was elected as the class Mayor
so he was obliged to lead the whole class and will be dealing on different
individuals. And through this, Jose can test his leadership skills and
socialization skills that he can later on applied in the outside world. Those
values and lessons that he learned will surely help him to become a
responsible and upright member of the society.

4) Student diversity can promote harmony. Respect, accept and embrace. The
three important words that everyone need to consider in order to have a
harmonious Relationship with other people. But if still much for others
then just learn to respect what others does have that you don’t have.
Because this thing ‘diversity’ is inevitable nor inescapable, people don’t
have a choice so just deal with it.
 C. Teaching Strategies that consider Student Diversity

Using various methods of teaching is needed in a diverse learning environment.

So here are the some tips and techniques that would be useful and helpful for
teachers to cater the demand of diversity inside the class. This will also serves as a
guide and reference for those future educators like me.

1) Encourage learners to share their personal history and experiences. Giving

learners an opportunity to talk in front of the class, sharing their personal
information and hands on experiences is way of showing students’
commonalities since differences are given. They will know and realized
what they have in common or where they differ from each other.

2) Integrate learning experiences and activities which promote students’

multicultural and cross-cultural awareness. Like what I always say, students
have their own origins (established language/dialect, cultural beliefs and so
on), attitudes and opinions so this is important to address properly. Like by
giving students a group activity that will requires them to share ideas,
information or even stories and experiences in life. For example, having a
class debate about “same sex marriage”, a controversial and debatable
issue. So through this task, students can give and share their opinions and
beliefs about this matter. They will become aware of other people cultures
or even given a chance to understand others differences. This will also be
beneficial to those students who are anti-social or introvert to participate
and interact with other students.

3) Aside from highlighting diversity, identify patterns of unity that transcend

group differences. It quite similar to the second strategy. Let’s say for
example, the teacher will group his/her students whether randomly,
alphabetically or based on students interest, skill, etc. then he/she will give
them a task. After the students did the said task as a group then they will
just need to present in front. Each group will only choose one discussant to
 present, explain and represent his/her group. So in this matter, there’s still
a pattern of unity – a collaborative work.

4) Communicate high expectation to students from all subgroups. Giving an

equal or fair expectations to all your students is an important matter that a
teacher should always consider. So that learners will be given an equal
opportunity to perform in class (fast learner or not, active or inactive).
Engaging them to participate in the learning process. So that all of them will
be able to experience all the things that a normal student should have and
deserve.

5) Use varied instructional methods to accommodate student diversity in

learning styles. Since every students have a different styles and ways of
learning (where they best learn at) using in-demand and various methods in
teaching are indeed needed. For example, through video clips or
documentary film that students can watch and reflect, the use of graphic
organizer, oral presentation, interactive approach or collaborative group
presentation and other methods and activities that will accommodate your
students different learning styles. Because a true and effective educator are
flexible (can be able to adapt), creative (to use various teaching methods)
and a positive thinker (have positive outlook in diversity).

6) Vary the examples you use to illustrate concepts in order to provide

multiple contexts that are relevant to students from diverse backgrounds.
For better learning and understanding of the learners, teachers should give
a more relevant examples or lessons that students could relate to or
connect in their lives. Because the better way to understand what you’re
studying is when you can be able to relate on it. Much easy and more
meaningful way of learning, which they can apply on their everyday lives..
7) Adapt to the students’ diverse backgrounds and learning styles by allowing
them personal choice and decision-making opportunities concerning what
they will learn and how they will learn it. It’s important to know that the
center of the learning process should be the students. Traditionally,
teachers are the one who always decide in the classroom (designing and
assigning what a student should do) but in learning it’s also necessary to
give your students a chance to suggest or raise a concern. Letting them to
choose and decide what or how they will like it to do this or that in the
class based on their styles. Because this things are also vital in students’
learning and development as well

8) Adversify your methods of assessing and evaluating student learning. Every

students possess unique characteristics, skills and talents so in evaluating
them as a teacher, it’s so important to consider their various learning/
thinking styles Because intelligence can’t only determined by writing or
answering lots of essays or traditional pen and paper activities. Students
may have different strengths and weaknesses. Maybe some are good at
making poems, singing, dancing or in role playing. There’s a lot of things
you need to consider with regards to this matter so that your students
other intelligences will be all accommodated.

9) Purposely, form a small-discussion groups of students from diverse

backgrounds. You can form group of students with different learning styles,
cultural background, etc. Let’s say a two to four members of small group of
individuals (which composed of their circle of friends) were exposed to
each others, who have a distinct beliefs, backgrounds, interest and views in
life. By talking, asking and sharing their experiences or through this small
interaction, the students can actually be able to develop and enhance
his/her cognitive, tactile, emotional and social skills that will later on help
him/her to grow and mature as a person. Let them learn from their fellow
students.